Frequently Asked Questions

The #1 Question - Where are games?

Depending where you live and fall in our boundary, our games are mainly based in the Germantown area for Upper County and Bethesda area for Lower County.

The #2 Question - Where can I see the practice schedule?

Until field permits are finalized, specific times and days for field availability aren’t available yet. Practices will be set by the Manager, usually with input from the parents. Permits are finalized with County as we get closer to Spring.

Section 1: League Questions

1. How do I get in touch with MCLL to ask questions?

If your question is not answered in the responses below please make sure to search our web site. If you still have questions you can send an email to info@mclittleleague.org and we will respond to your question, typically in less than 24 hours.

2. What age levels do you offer?

Our divisions of play are described on the web site.

3. My son is eligible for more than one level? Which level should I register for?

The registration system will only allow you to register for the divisions that you are age eligible for. However your child’s age may allow you to choose from more than one division. If you are new to baseball you are probably best to play at a lower division for a season. You can always email us at info@mclittleleague.org and we can give you a recommendation based on your age and experience.

4. Can my son play up or down a division?

Players can play up if their skill level allows them. Under certain circumstances, subject to league approval, parents can request a player to play down.

5. What does "League Age" mean?

League age is the age a player will be at a determined cutoff date. League ages are used by almost all youth sports leagues to restrict players from being above a certain age during a season. For Spring the Little League cutoff date is 8/31 of the Spring season. This date was set to correspond to best align with grade ages and to cover the full season.This means if your child has a birthday in July or August they could be 10 years old and considered league age 11 for that Spring. If a division is set to be 10 and under, the idea is that at no time in the season will any players be 11.

6. Will my son be playing with other boys his age?

Ages may vary within a division within 1-2 years. As players progress up, their skill level will be used to place them in the proper division based on skill. At the kid pitch level they will be playing with other kids in the same age group, within 1-2 years as much as possible.

7. Can my child play on a team with his friend?

After evaluations, we divide the players up based on skill level. We do take requests, but we do not guarantee they will be honored. Above Tee-Ball our main obligation is to ensure the teams are equal in skill level.

8. Do you offer girls softball?

Yes. Our divisions of play are described on the web site.

9. Do you offer machine-pitch?

No. MCLL believes that coach pitch is a better approach to developing young hitters than is machine pitch.

10. Can a player participate on more than one team?

At the older levels the schedules have been designed so kids can play on both a Majors team and an Intermediates team or alternatively an Intermediates team and a Juniors team. A discount of 50%, if available will be given on the lower priced division when playing two divisions.

11. Do you have a higher level of baseball than recreational?

Little League is designed so ALL children wishing to play have the opportunity to do so. If your child has advanced skills, they can play up to the highest level matching their capabilities. We also offer a Sunday Select program for ages 8-12 that provides additional training and games.

12. How long is the baseball/softball season?

The baseball season runs from early April to early June. Typically opening the first weekend of April and ending the weekend before the last day of school for MCPS. MCLL does not play any games on Easter or Memorial Day weekends.

13. Does MCLL Baseball have insurance?

Yes, we have excess medical insurance for all participants as well as a general liability policy. Participants should have medical insurance prior to the start of participation. Here is a link to What Parents Should Know About Little League Insurance

Section 2: Registration Questions

1. How do I register for a team?

Simply click the orange “Register Now” button that is on our home page. http://mclittleleague.org. This will walk you through the registration process. This button is only present when registration is open.

2. What is the registration fee and what does it cover?

The registration fee goes to help cover the costs of field permits; team equipment (bases,balls, catcher's gear, etc.); player uniforms; umpires (Minors and above); field maintenance; end-of-season trophies; and other expenses. Registration fees only cover part of operating costs and are supplemented by corporate team sponsorships.

3. Why are your fees so high?

As we are a non-profit community organization, we set our fees to cover the actual costs per player, with no profit above the costs. We have had kept our rates fairly steady the past three years. Our fees are comparable to other similar baseball organizations in the area. If you compare the number of games we offer compared to other programs you may discover MCLL is a better value!

4. What is your refund policy?

Our full refund policy is on the web site.

5. What is the sibling discount?

The sibling discount of $25 applies to every registration after the initial registration of subsequent players from the same family, irrespective of age level.

6. What equipment will I need for my player?

See the Equipment page on our web site. Your player’s uniform (jersey, pants, belt (Coach Pitch and above), hat and socks) are provided by the league and the cost is included in your registration fee. As a minimum, your player will need a batting helmet and fielding glove for his/her catching hand. A bat sized to your player and baseball cleats are highly recommended. Batting gloves are optional.

7. How do we get the uniform?

When you sign up you will select the uniform size that fits your player the best. A uniform will be ordered and the coach of your team will hand out the uniforms when they come in before the season starts.

8. Will there be any fundraising activities?

The league relies on corporate sponsorships to supplement registration fees. Additionally the league may hold fundraising activities such as restaurant proceeds when eating out at designated restaurants.

Section 3: Team Questions

1. How are the players placed on a team?

MCLL is committed to being fair and objective in the assignment of players to teams. MCLL makes every reasonable effort to place players on the team of their choice, as requested in the comments of the registration record. However, we are committed to balanced team play. Full details can be found on the Team Formation / Draft page on the web site.

2. Who will coach my player’s team?

During the registration process coach applications will be accepted by MCLL. Each applicant for a coach’s position will have a background check performed and must be accepted by the Board of Directors.

3. When are teams formed?

Once coaches are selected the player’s rosters will be assembled. The coaches will have the rosters before the first practice and will notify families when the practices will begin.

4. How much are coaches paid?

All our baseball and softball coaches are volunteers.

5. How do I become a coach?

We are always looking for volunteer coaches. Coaching youth is a rewarding experience and makes a meaningful and positive impact in their lives. No previous experience is required. If you’re interested in learning more about coaching, please contact us at info@mclittleleague.org

6. How many players are on a team?

We strive to have teams of 12 players but it may vary slightly depending on coach availability.

Section 4: Game and Practice Questions

1. When are practices?

All practices are determined on when the volunteer coach(s) can practice. Practices can take place Mon-Fri.

2. Where are practices?

We secure permits for the county fields through the county and make every effort to get fields that offer coaches the opportunity to practice on a field that is convenient for parents. However, field permits are subject to availability.

3. How long are practices?

4. When are games?

Tee-ball teams will play on Saturday. Coach Pitch, Minors, Majors and Juniors will be on week day and on Saturday. Intermediates will play Wednesday and Saturday. Players are expected to make the majority of the games and are expected to notify the coach if a player cannot make a game or will be late.

5. Where are games played?

We have two regions within MCLL, an Upper County and a Lower County region. Upper county games are played in the Germantown/Gaithersburg area. Lower County games are played in the Bethesda area.

6. How long are games?

7. When will the game schedule be published?

We have to wait for Montgomery County and Park and Planning to issue permits for the fields that we will be using. Once our fields are confirmed, a schedule will be posted. This usually does not happen until late March.

8. What is SI Play?

SI Play, or Sports Illustrated Play, is used by our league for our coaches to communicate with the players and parents. Practice and game schedules along with player/parents contact information is included in order for parents to communicate with each other. If a practice or game is canceled or rescheduled, the coach will send out a notification using the SI Play app via text and email. SI Play Mobile App

9. Are there playoffs?

Tee-ball will not have playoff competitions. Coach Pitch and above will have playoffs which are scheduled after regular season games. Additionally teams will be entered into the Little League World Series tournament.

10. What are the Little League tournament team opportunities?

MCLL sponsors teams at the 8-10, 9-11, 10-12, Intermediate and Juniors levels for play in the Little League World Series. Play starts at the District level and proceeds to the State, Regional and finally the World Series.

Section 5: Rainouts

1. What happens when my son’s practice is rained out?

Coaches are free to add additional practices if they desire but the league does not reschedule practices.

2. What happens when a game is rained out?

When there is a rainout the SI Play system will notify parents of the cancellation.

3. Will game rainouts be rescheduled?

Every attempt will be made to reschedule a game. The coaches will notify the teams as to when a rescheduled game will be played.

4. I was told there would be games one day during the week but now these rescheduled rainouts are making two games. Why?

Rain is a part of life. For baseball teams it means rainouts. The county has jurisdiction to make decide when to close fields due to rain. With limited opportunities to reschedule games we do our best to get you the full set of games.

Section 6: Behavior

1. Can I be ejected from a game by the umpire?

Yes. We’re absolutely committed to making our playing fields a positive environment for everyone to enjoy. This is NOT a league for parents to live through their children or take away from the kids’ experience. It’s about two things: getting better and having fun!